Have you ever stood on the edge of a mountainside and simply pondered? Have you considered the ease of travel in modern times with paved roadways and engine-driven vehicles? What did the early settlers think as they traversed through the mountains on horseback, in wagons, and on foot? Did they stand at the base of a mountain and get discouraged about climbing the mountain and crossing it? We all face obstacles in life. How do we typically respond to those obstacles? At this stage of your life, are you where you are supposed to be?In a few weeks another birthday will arrive for me. Some of the goals I set as young man have been reached, but others have not yet come to fruition. (One of the goals was to be financially independent by the age of 40. I missed that one by a long shot.) As I was thinking about some of those things this morning I realized that I am not yet where I want to be in many areas of my life. I started to get discouraged by that but then remembered John Maxwell's line, "When you're through improving, you're through." As long as we are blessed with the gift of life, we continue to move forward in our journey toward God.I began revisiting my goals this morning and making some adjustments to them. I also began reviewing some material that I have accumulated through the years on leadership. I found several pages of quotes that provided plenty of food for thought. Many of these were in John Maxwell's book, Leadership 101. A few of them really struck me as being pertinent at this stage in my life.

"The highest purpose for faith is not to change my circumstances but to change me."

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."

"People do not follow programs; rather, they follow leaders who inspire them."

"You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do."

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A GREAT LEADER takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be."

I have been blessed with some extraordinary people in my life through the years who have helped me grow in faith, in knowledge, and in understanding. They have been an asset in encouraging me to strive for that place where I ought to be. In turn, I have been striving to be that great leader who helps others get to where they ought to be. I know I still have much work to do in my earthly pilgrimage.

The key to successful leadership is influence--not position or authority. The question I am asking myself I will also pose to you. Are you exhibiting a positive influence for those around you?

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